Self-Giving God: Promise

Abraham
Seed of nations
Believed God's Word
For a barren womb


Right faith
Bewildered mind
Stars gave count
For tomorrow's life


Yahweh spoke
Promise of land
Peculiar gift
To a childless man


One child
Many nations
Who shall confirm
To bear condemnation?


Abram slept
God walked through
Torch and pieces
On behalf of you


Covenant
Confirmed alone
The LORD bears all
To bring the nomad home

Have you ever been blessed to have someone act or speak on your behalf? Through a simple act or word, another person can remove the burden that you carry. Instead of your effort and work, someone else takes responsibility to see the results come through.

This is what God did on Abram's behalf. While there was no son yet to Abram, God promised that He would be the father of children as countless as the stars. Abram "believed in the LORD" and it was credited as righteousness (Genesis 15:6, NAS).

God also promised land. Already populated, God would have to be the driving force to make this promise come true. Abram asked God to confirm His word. The Lord did so in a covenant ritual of the time. Sacrifice was made, and the animal split into two. Those making the covenant would walk between the sacrificial pieces, symbolizing what could be done to them if they failed to come through with their agreement.

As the covenant was made, Abram fell into a deep sleep. This left God alone as the responsible party to walk between the pieces. On behalf of Abram, God was giving full assurance that it would be He who gave this land to the descendants of Abram.

We do see God come through on this promise in the books of Exodus through Joshua. Without God's leading, the descendants of Abraham were unable to secure the Promised Land and be the people from whom the Messiah would come.

A torch of hope, God personally acted on Abram's behalf to secure such a great promise.

Copyright by Kendra Hinkle 2008.

Self-Giving God: The Breath of Life

Face-to-face is a very intimate posture for two people to hold. The intimacy of that moment stirs up the fear of being known and the pleasure of knowing. But God has designed it that way. To be known by another, in intimacy and closeness, resembles the spiritual fulfillment that we have with God through Jesus Christ.

Can you imagine waking up face-to-face with God?

Your source of life. Your greatest need. The very life you live began with God. Literally read, "Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." (Genesis 2:7) After having fashioned Adam from the dust of the earth, with His hands, God now employs His face in the creation of man. God does not need oxygen as if He had a body, but the Bible tells us that God formed with his hands and that He breathed. My assumption from the continuing bodily imagery is that God exhaled in order to give man his first breath of life.

Face-to-face.

Adam awakes to his Creator - the first act of being known for Adam was not sex with Eve. He was first known by God (in a non-sexual way, of course).

God loves us. His actions on our behalf, coming from within His own will and might, are an act of self-giving. He willingly comes face-to-face with Adam to impart life.

Self-Giving God: Imago Dei

Do you celebrate your birthday or Christmas by giving presents to yourself? Beyond ruining the fun surprise of gifts, celebrating to our own honor is silly because we live in relationship with others. Birthdays are celebrated by those in relationship with and thankful for the life of another person. Also, Christmas honors the wonderful day that Jesus was born. To celebrate we recognize Him in the place of our families, among friends, and throughout some nations. Relationship is central to our reason for giving, especially on holidays.

God also gives within the context of relationship. Firmly rooted in Scripture is a God who gives of Himself in relationship with men. He is of infinite means, not becoming less by the gifts that He gives. Instead, His self-giving shows His will to personally move in relationship with men and for His glory in us.

A first example of God's self-giving comes from the very beginning. The God who spoke the world into existence chose to fashion man by the work of His hands. Personally involved and invested with hands in the dirt, He gave of Himself by making us in His image. When we see ourselves and one another, we see a reflection of the glory of God.

"Then God said, 'Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule... God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." (Genesis 1:26-27, NAS) Unique to all other creation, men and women have in themselves the image of God. The definition and exact formula of the image of God in man is debated, but in sureness we know that God vested us with part of His very likeness. We are the crown of creation, having in our being something very special from God. The image of God is not something we requested nor something that we earned, but a planned blessing for those in vital relationship with God. Our very likeness reveals His willingness to impart Himself for His own glory among men.


Thoughts provoked through reading and contemplating unpublished class notes of Dr. Scott Horrell, The Self-Giving God, Imago Dei and Nature of Church, Dallas Theological Seminary, summer 2008.

Personal Definition of God

God, the Holy Trinity
From eternity past you exist, no breath of life entered. From you has generously come every created thing: angels, matter and man. Sustainer of life you depend on none, but kneel to reveal yourself to fallen mankind. Who can contain the whole thought of you? Without contradiction and undefiled, glory is your garment. Holy, wholly other, the three of you stand apart from your workmanship. Your one magnificent Name and one character unite you as one God, but with three volitional and relational persons who function within your will. Wellspring of light and truth and all knowledge, your persons are unique and still fully reconciled to one another in perfect love and ability. Though things on earth change within your sovereign will, you remain steadfast to yourself.

Father
Head of the three, Father, you remain in heaven. Though immanent and everywhere present, your full form is unseen by human eyes. Loving that which you created, you reveal truth and righteousness - even heralding the coming of your only begotten Son. Though once dwelling equally with you, you received His earthly prayers as a man’s requests. Under your authority the Spirit also subjected Himself to your will, and to Jesus who would gift Him to believers. You gave Jesus all authority that the perfect will of three-in-one would continue to completion. A just judge over men, you are the keeper of a holy standard. Though Satan approaches to destroy, you ordained all of time according to redemptive purpose and glory. Yet you know and hear and weave so well the heart of man into your scheme. You oversee redemption’s story.

Son
Clothed in flesh, my Savior and my Lord, you are robed with humility. Preeminent and fully Divine, you relinquished for a time your deified position to dwell among sinners. You were born of a virgin, and begotten of God. While divine will, power and knowledge were at your command, you grew in favor and stature as any man. To your glory, to my glory, you chose to live a sinless human life and resisted Satan’s temptation. As a teacher of truth and Messiah of God’s Kingdom, you were perfect in obedience to the Father’s will. You suffered and died according to the Prophets and the Law as the only one who could bear God’s holy wrath and fulfill His covenant love. But death could not hold you. You are a redeemer. Resurrection is yours. All things rest under your authority.

The Holy Spirit
My helper, my counselor, a place of holy rebuke - you are present on earth, living in me, a seal of what is the Father’s through Christ Jesus. You are the power of the three-in-one among a fallen world. Fully knowledgeable and everywhere present, you make known to men the will of the Father and the Son. You are a living testimony of truth, goodness and righteousness that Jesus sent upon His departure. You have no human form, but dwell in the temple of the saved. You bring about faith and righteous deeds that the world may see and feel and know the three-in-one who created life. You are a living and close friend equaled only to the Father and Son. You are a purposeful and present minister to my soul.


By Kendra Hinkle 2008. Assignment for Trinitarianism class at Dallas Theological Seminary, SU08. All footnotes have been omitted to save space, but a complete version is available upon request.

Definition of Worship

Through seminary, my new job, and a conversation going on here, I've been shaping a definition of worship. As I serve college women in a sorority house, as I type my fingers off making documents at work, as I choose my daily tasks - this definition helps me to center my every effort on the greatness of my God. As has been said on the blog above, "How you define worship affects how you design worship." I do not design weekly worship services for the church, but I do design my daily work of service to the Lord. My definition of worship affects how and what I choose to do as a worshipper of God.

Definition of Worship:
To worship is to serve in the holy presence of God, service being what I was created to do through divine relationship, not that which God needs. Worship is an active result of who I am in God through Christ my Savior. The Holy Spirit aids me to worship as a new creation according to God’s revealed purpose, which I find in the Bible. And through the ministry of the Holy Spirit I seek to know God with reverent fear and love of the Holy. Because I am a sinner, I must receive from His means. Therefore, I situate myself to serve Him, and I do so according to the context that He established, namely the community of persons who have faith in Jesus Christ.

Shaping Scriptures:
Genesis 2:7-8, 15
Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. The Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed...Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.

1 Chronicles 6: 31-32, 48-49
Now these are those whom David appointed over the service of song in the house of the Lord, after the ark rested there. They ministered with song...
Their kindsmen the Levites werer appointed for all the service of the tabernacle of the house of God. But Aaron and his sons offered on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense, for all the work of the most holy place...

Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptabel to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Boast No More

lyrics by Isaac Watts
and musically remixed by Caedmon's Call

No More My God,
I boast no more
Of all the duties I have done
I quit the hopes I held before,
To trust the merits of Thy Son

Now, for the loss I bear his name,
What was my gain I count my loss
My former pride I call my shame
And nail my glory to His cross

Yes, and I must, I will esteem
All things but loss for Jesus' sake
O may my soul be found in Him
And of His righteousness partake
Amen, amen

The best obedience of my hands
Dares not appear before Thy throne
But faith can answer Thy demands
By pleading what my Lord has done

This weekend with Mu Chia and Karen, we studied the latter half of Philippians 2, where Paul relishes in knowing Christ as the most wonderful part of his life. We talked about what it meant to consider all things as loss compared to knowing Christ - with Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus as the text's examples. This song does a good job of directing my heart and mind back to the centrality of being saved by grace through faith alone, not by anything that I can accomplish. It seems like one I could imagine Paul singing in his own heart as he continued in the work of God.

Goodbye, Elda!

For the past three years, I've had the opportunity to befriend Elda. Elda came to the US to study and prepare for Physician's Assistant school. She's been accepted in California and is leaving this week.


Back in Albania she was part of the first generation to grow up at the fall of communism. Her family informed her that they were Eastern Orthodox when she was 10, but she'd never heard of God before then. God has been faithful to place Christians in her life one after another.


Favorite Memories with Elda:

• Road trip to Waco. Don't be scared! His name is David Crowder.
• Talking about God and planting seeds for Jesus to use.
• Running about town. Literally.
• Shaking our heads over bent fenders, bashed taillights, and our old cars. You are no longer part of the old car club. Congratulations!
• Saying goodbye over lunch with Nizaar the Palestinian at our table. Nice to meet you Nizaar. And yes. Now that you said you were bizarre, I do remember your name.
• Helping to show that He cares for her.

Musings of a Theological Mutt

Some days I want to step out of the race - to take my running legs off of the course and to watch other runners go by and win.

Me. I'll breathe and be. Sad to not be in the race, but so glad to be alive - yet wondering about my purpose, my task.

Can God use a theological mutt? Can a voice like mine be used, whose family is Lutheran and Baptist, who came to Christ at a Presbyterian church and was discipled and matured in the Disciples of Christ denomination and trained for ministry in higher education institution of the independent Christian Church while attending a Wesleyan congregation, and trained further in Bible and seminary education at a Calvinist church and institution?

God can use me. I walk with Him and watch Him. He is the only sure part of my life.

I wonder what others think, who have a background like mine. How are other theological mutts fitting into ministry? Moving to Texas brought more mental confusion than I would have ever entered into on my own. New ways of seeing God, new ways of thinking.

I listen to others and interact with Him. That's all I know how to do. It is a season of listening and wrestling and learning.

Clothing and Nudity

Wow! I just read the following post by John Piper.
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2008/2737_The_Rebellion_of_Nudity_and_the_Meaning_of_Clothing/

For the past five years or so, I have been tossing around in my mind and watching in the Bible in regards to spiritual covering. By this I mean the soul's protection and edification supplied by God's hand amid a fallen world. I watch my culture and my own life, burning with a passion for covering to be supplied. Something better, something holy, something worthy, something. . . has been lost. We are INCOMPLETE without Him. God is our utmost need and our greatest joy. He is our supply. The one who covers our naked shame.

I wish I had more fitting words, but this article states so well a portion of what the Lord has been teaching me in the still and quiet. It resounds with many other lessons that are waiting for God's timing to come out. Until then, sentences are jumbled and mixed and unready. So I will wait for my time of clarity, cherishing the pieces of the story that I have been given so far.

Mimicking Maurice Manning

My Sabbath day Boss is
every day the freshness of
it never pales I cannot stop
from coming near to gaze
thru windows of your heart
should heartache or sickness or
temptation strike there stands
the cross to point me home
though many days Boss I am worn
by tempests of my cultures gold
you are rock unchanged and true
to hold me fast ‘til days are thru
may the workings of my hand
reveal the daughter of thy throne
in aching days of creation’s groaning
for thy glory in the world be known


by Kendra Hinkle 2008

All the Way from China

This morning I received an amazing email from one of my former students in China. We have been conversing for seven years over email since I taught in a summer program. She is coming to study at UC Berkely this summer ~ as long as she is granted an F-1 Visa. Please pray with me for her opportunity to come to the United States.

Seven years I've been anticipating and waiting! If she comes I will go to Cali or I'll fly her to Texas. God is GOOD!

The Purpose of a Voice

Welling up from within a voice births sound tween ribbon strands. It runs it flows to over full, along the tongue through lips unclosed. Pulsing waves move unseen till ear so set will kindly heed. Dancing drifting further in it lands upon the soul of man. Through the guard of softness' gate with wounds or gifts in love to take. Man as one cannot live but shall receive the song of voice.




(c) 2008 by Kendra Hinkle.

Pain

This week I went home in very bad pain. I was unable to focus on work and couldn't drive myself home. I've never been immobilized to that level outside of surgery. Speaking and walking were difficult challenges, things that had been so easy before. My energy was drained trying to focus on gentleness of speech and clear directions on the way home. (The Lord knows how hard this was for me!)

My pain subsided with medication. It was temporary. But I have three friends that deal with severe pain management on a daily basis. The energy it took to act kindly and patiently gave me a new respect for what they face in  the daily acts of life. It's like you are in slow motion processing everything through the veil of pain while the world speeds on around you.  

I really stink at extending compassion and remembering that life takes extra effort for them. So, today I wanted to post a reminder. To me. To anyone. Be considerate of those around you who face daily challenges with pain. 

In the Wilderness

Did you know that the book of "Numbers" gets its common name from Latin? The original Hebrew name presents a major theme much more clearly, it means "in the wilderness." The following quote is an excellent challenge for anyone who finds themselves in the wilderness times of life. The wilderness is "a place where God's people will either deepen their trust in the power of their God to supply their needs or doubt their God's abilities and resources." (Handbook on the Pentateuch by Victor Hamilton, p. 303)

Are you growing in trust or growing in doubt? May the God of gentleness help you to cling to Him in trust as you walk paths in the wilderness.

Sticking Together (A Lesson from the Bees)

Our building recently had some visitors outside of a coworkers window. They were bees in migration. Instead of wasting energy building a nest, the bees cling together to form a hollow structure for a few days to rest from their travels. 

I couldn't help but think of the church as we continue to bring the news of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. Knowing where we are going we WILL need to cling together in our common love for Jesus, supporting and helping in the big picture. 

May we not get lost in our own small stories, but gain a vision and willing attitude to complete a task that involves every believer doing their part.

Your sister, your servant 

~ Kendra

P.S. My boss took the pictures. They are for real! There's nothing supporting the nest other than bees. You can throw a rock at it, and they all break apart. (And probably chase you - My other boss and his teen sons/friend decided to test it out one night. After throwing some rocks and taking off in a sprint, one of them slammed into an in-ground electric box during his panic flight from the bees. Hilarious! He lived, but limped the rest of the way. When they all piled into the car, they realized that none of them actually hit the bees and they remained undisturbed.) 

When God Draws Near (Guided Meditation #2)

The nearness of God brought change for all of us. By stepping down to earth, Jesus humiliated himself to give us life. But that humiliation was not the end. Exaltation follows. Let these verses be a thinking guide to the person and work of Christ:

And the Lord appointed a great fish… (Jonah 1:17)

…“I called out of my distress to the LORD,
And He answered me.
I cried for help from the depth of Sheol;
You heard my voice.
For you had cast me into the deep…
So I said, ‘I have been expelled from Your sight.
Nevertheless, I will look again toward Your holy temple.” (Jonah 2:2-4)

“For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:40)

Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19)

…“you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy.” (John 16:20)

Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” (Mark 16:2-3)

…“They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” (Luke 20:2)

…and stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings… (John 20:5)

And so Simon Peter also came, following him, and entered the tomb; and he saw… (v.6)

But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she saw… (v.11)

…“Why do you seek the living One among the dead?” (Luke 24:5)

…“O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” (vv. 24-26)

Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (John 20:16)

“See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” (Luke 24:39)

…So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea. (John 21:7)

…The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. (John 20:20)

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me? ...Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.” (John 21:17)

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority on heaven and earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit...I am with you always..." (Matthew 28:18-20)

“In my Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2)

“But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” (John 16:7)

“Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” (Acts 6:11)

And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high (Hebrews 1:3)

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 1:18-20)

And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting...and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:2-4)

They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer...And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. (Acts 2:42-45)

So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily. (Acts 16:5)

While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:2)

Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and in hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure (2 Corinthians 11:24-27)

“You will be hated by all because of My name…” (Matthew 10:22)

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance…for while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:3-6)

…to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. (Romans 16:27)

Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Philippians 4:20)

…To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. (2 Peter 3:18)

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. (Jude 24-25)

“Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.” (Revelation 4:8)

“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” (v.11)

And they sang a new song saying, “Worthy are you to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” (5:9)

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” (v.12)

…“To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” (v.13)

And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them...And the city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light... (Revelation 21:3, 23)

Covering

Stripped.
Covering removed.
A generation exposed
Howls at the moon.

Cover us, Lord.
Gather us in.
Your robe to shelter,
Foster life therein.

Entitlement.
No boundaries drawn.
A generation distracted
Revels 'til Christ's dawn.

Cover us, Lord.
Draw us near.
Holiest of Holies,
Fill our eyes with tears.

Gathered.
Glory through word and deed.
A generation humbled
Buttresses a revolution of redeemed.


The loss of protective spiritual covering leaves a generation stripped - in family, in community, in culture. Now a shepherd among God's children, I see and once knew about living without God. Limited to humanism as a life philosophy, man is degraded to the whim of his own carnal desires and hopeless existence - like an animal. To weaken them all the more, our world entitles young generations to immediate gratification, but offers them no boundaries as a guide.

May God continue to break our hearts for the lost. They are without HIM. Let us continue to gather them into the protective spiritual covering in Christ, speaking the good news...and welcoming as many as will come into the community of the redeemed!

(c) 2008 by Kendra Hinkle.

When God Draws Near (Guided Meditation #1)

When God draws near, things change. Natural laws of science bow. The earth quakes. People prostrate themselves. Yet, in the record of human history God is also compassionate and desiring of intimacy with us who He created. In mercy He develops relationship and causes His great name to be known. The following is a guide for meditation, the first of two for Easter. Not all of the details are given, but each Scripture is meant to cause your mind to remember its context and God's place in the moment. Take time to think, to remember, to mull over who He is and what He has done.


Then the LORD God...breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living being. (Genesis 2:7)

They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence...(Gen 3:8)

Noah was a blameless man, righteous in his time. Noah walked with God. (Gen 6:9)

And He took [Abraham] outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars if you are able to count them...So shall your descendants be." (Gen 16:5)

"Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel..." (Gen 32:28)

"God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by great deliverance." (Gen 45:7)

"...remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." (Exodus 3:5)

"...when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt." (Ex 12:13)

Now Mt. Sinai was all in smoke because the LORD descended upon it in fire...and the whole mountain quaked violently. (Ex 19:18)

Then the LORD spoke to Moses..."you shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy." (Leviticus 19:1-2)

But when they arose early the next morning, behold, Dagon [a stone idol] had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD. And the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold. (1 Samuel 5:4)

Then Nathan said to David, "Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you." (1 Chronicles 17:2)

One thing I have asked from the LORD...
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life (Psalm 27:4)

Not to us, O LORD, not to us,
But to Your name give glory
Because of Your lovingkindness, because of your truth. (Psalm 115:1)

I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple... "Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips..." (Isaiah 6:1,5)

"Do not rejoice, O Israel, with exultation like the nations! For you have played the harlot, forsaking your God." (Hosea 9:1)

"Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!" (Daniel 3:25)

When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favor in his sight; and the king extended to Esther the golden scepter... (Esther 5:2)

Then you will know that I am the LORD when I have dealt with you for My name's sake, not according to your evil ways or according to your corrupt deeds..." (Ezekiel 40:44)

"But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall." (Malachi 4:2)

For your husband is your Maker,
Whose name is the LORD of hosts;
And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel,
Who is called the God of all the earth. (Isaiah 54:5)

Behold, My servant will prosper,
He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted...
Yet He Himself bore the sin of many
And interceded for the transgressors. (Isaiah 52:13; 53:12)

...as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Too little to be among the clans of Judah,
From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel,
His goings forth are from long ago,
From the days of eternity. (Micah 5:2)

"Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And, behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus." (Luke 1:30-31)

"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 1:20)

"...for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)

...magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." (Matthew 2: 1-2)

The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. (Luke 2:40)

He had no stately form or majesty
That we should look upon Him,
Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. (Isaiah 53:2)

And the devil said to Him, "I will give you all this domain and its glory...if you worship before me it shall all be Yours." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only." (Luke 4:6-8)

He opened His mouth and began to teach them... (Matt 5:2)

Jesus said to Simon, "Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men." (Luke 5:10)

"I have come in my Father's name..." (John 5:43)

And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." (Luke 5:13)

"Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal...This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." (John 6:27-29)

And Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion;" for many demons had entered the man. (Luke 8:30)

And Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one question, and you answer Me, and then I will tell you by what authority I do these things." (Mark 11:29)

"Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14)

"For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matthew 7:14)

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." (John 14:6)

"Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him do death, and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the thrid day He will be raised up." (Matthew 20:18-19)

Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. (John 13:5)

While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins." (Matthew 26:26-28)

...And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood... (Luke 22:44)

"My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will but as You will." (Matthew 26:39)

...The one called Judas, one of the twelve, was preceeding them; and he approached Jesus to kiss Him. (Luke 22:47)

They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. There they crucified Him... (John 19:17-18)

He was despised and forsaken of men,
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
And like one from whom men hide their face
He was despised,and we did not esteem Him.

Surely our griefs He Himself bore,
And our sorrows He carried;
Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten of God and afflicted.

But He was pierced for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him.
And by His scourging we are healed.

All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all
To fall upon Him.

He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He did not open His mouth;
Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers,
So He did not open His mouth. (Isaiah 53:3-7)

Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon the land, until the ninth hour. (Matthew 27:45)

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. (v. 50)

And behold the veil of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom (v. 51)

Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. (Mark 15:43)

The Voice of God (Psalm 29 & Phil 2)

Psalm 29 says that your voice is powerful and majestic. It bursts the cedars, hews out flames of fire, and sets to flight your creation. The voice that spoke the world into existence can lay it waste by its magnificent essence. This is the voice I wait for. This is the voice I want, the cloak of royal might I want to be protected by.

But when Christ came, his voice was subject to weakness - to the place of creation. His flesh became like ours, yet without sin. His words were that of a friend, that of a man, that of a teacher. A voice rejected and trampled upon, few heeded its authority. His cloak surely felt like sackcloth and ashes compared to the robe of glory He left in heaven:

who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:7-8)

So which voice do I listen for in life?

Here is my assurance: I am clothed in the words and person of Christ. As a faithful servant I can risk mighty steps of faith to bring God glory, for Christ himself did so in the will and pleasure of God. Whether clothed by a voice of might or a voice of meekness, I am His.


(C) Kendra Hinkle 2008.

Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE (R). Copy right (C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Favoritest EVER!

This is my most favorite picture in the world. I ran across it in an album today and decided to revive it. They are the grandkids of a mentor from Indianapolis when I was doing ministry there. Enjoy!

Friend of God

Regarding Abraham's promises from God during his lifetime:

True, he does not have, in terms of personal realization, all the promises of God, but he does have the God of all the promises. God himself is Abraham's shield and reward (15:1). The giver; not the gifts, is Abraham's highest reward and his consuming obsession. Not without reason, therefore, is Abraham referred to three times in the Bible as "the friend of God" (2 Chron. 20:7; Isa. 41:8; James 2:2-3).

Handbook on the Pentateuch, Second edition by Victor P. Hamilton, p. 87.

To Your Holy Mountain

Send forth your light and your truth,
let them guide me;
Let them bring me to your holy mountain,
to the place where you dwell.

Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God, my joy and my delight.
I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.

Psalms 43:3-4


Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE (R), Copyright (c) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

God Prevails (1 Samuel 31)

A fallen priesthood (Ch.2), a disobedient people (Ch.8), and their headless king (Ch.31). Had Israel become the great nation that they desired through Saul?

1 Samuel leaves me speechless, staring at bodies hung on a wall by the Philistines. A grotesque mural of victory, it was a warning to Israel. God had promised Saul the loss of his throne through disobedience, and later the loss of his life and that of his sons (15:26-29; 26:10; 28:19). He did not heed or repent, but continued in His ways - his body and his seed a testimony to God's word.

Israel fled the battle and watched in shame - not quite what they expected. They were God's chosen nation. Named after Him (Israel = God prevails), God had caused them to prevail in conquering most of the Promised Land. Generations later their boundaries were threatened by raiding peoples and a nation fighting back for territory. Much like God had warned Saul, the nation of Israel was also warned. Blessing comes with obedience. Curse without. (Deuteronomy 11)

Israel has their warning hanging on the wall:

God prevails.

His word is accomplishing exactly what He said it would.

Take in your warning, reader. It is God who prevails. What has he commanded you in His Word? What has he desired of you or warned you away from? Your body may not be strewn lifeless on the wall as a result of sin, but His holiness should stir in you a holy fear, and a love for what Christ has done. What will you do with the Words of a holy, pure, loving, wrathful, perfect, intimate, enthroned, seeing, wonderful, terrible and awesome God?

Studylight.org used for the meaning of "Israel."

(C) 2008 by Kendra Hinkle.

I Cut

I was chillin' with my friend Tessa this evening (she's 4). I studied hamartiology while she played with my big green excercise ball and nesting dolls from Russia. She asked me how old I was.

"I'm 30."

"So you can cut?"

Apparently I have been entrusted with the very responsible task of using scissors. I was feeling inadequate studying hamartiology (study of sin). But now I feel quite accomplished in life. Using scissors safely and without adult help must be one of Tessa's upcoming developmental feats. =-)

We soon then moved on to the "fingers not teeth" rule in opening the Russian nesting dolls when they are difficult to pull apart. Teeth marks on the nesting dolls will surely give them lasting character.

Baggage (1 Samuel 30:21-31)

First gear went out. Reverse refused. Then second gear froze. By the time my car rolled into the driveway, I was unable to shift into any gear other than neutral. The car wouldn’t budge.

A thousand dollars later, my Ford is functional again. But the car placed me in a familiar and humiliating place - a place of financial need. I began to get angry with God, realizing for the first time that I had much in common with the men of 1 Samuel 30, who were exhausted and stayed behind with the baggage. Few people desire to watch others rescue their loved ones, to know that what they can muster in the moment is simply not enough.

I have been the recipient of many gracious gifts: a scholarship to school, a home to live in, a computer, car repairs, running shoes…the list keeps going. It is mostly a testimony to the obedient church body I am a part of. Yet, I grew up on a farm. I’ve done chores and worked most of my life, learning independence and being prideful in what my hands can accomplish. The place I rest now as I study in seminary is humbling. I vacillate between thanksgiving and humiliation, letting pride occasionally douse the flames of my joy and worship.

David’s rebuke to the wicked and prideful warriors in our story held much authority, so much that it became law in the nation of Israel. Those who fought on the front lines and those who were exhausted, staying behind to protect the baggage, were of equal standing. Their reward would be the same. David saw the army as a unified body under the headship of a mighty God. Their victory came not by man’s might, but through His participation and will - even for those resting with the baggage.

Romans 12:3-5 says it this way, “For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”

The Word of God is clear about how we are to view ourselves as Christ followers. We are a family. As stewards of what we have been given, we support the whole family, investing as each of us has been enabled. Each one of us is just as likely to face hardship, financial trial, medical emergencies, weakness, grief, etc. With one unified heartbeat and one Lord as our head, we will move forward in the will of God, bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to all nations and seeing one another built up into Christ.


Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible (R), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Celebrating Jesus ~ International Christmas Banquet 2007

More pictures of the ladies! I obviously love them and enjoy studying the Bible with them every week. Only two more weeks and our study of Ruth and Esther will be over. I has been absolutely amazing to worship through His word on my own, and then worshipping with these sisters in Christ. Together, humbled at the foot of the cross the wonder of our amazing God is amplified ten fold. I hope that they have received as much as I have in our study.

The pic is from our international Christmas banquet last night. Represented among us: Japan, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Italy and the USA. Isn't that such fun!

International Banquet

Vicky (left) and Nadia (right) are the two Taiwanese students who are doing Bible study with me this semester. (Not pictured: Karen from the USA)

We attended an International Banquet for students. There were instrumental presentations, an international fashion show, lots of dancing - from South America, Egypt, and Africa to name a few. So many dressed in native costumes or clothing. I wished it could have been a celebration about Christ!

Pursuit (1 Samuel 30:9-20)

His heart pounds like a tribal drum calling the warrior to battle.
His skin beads sweat with the loyalty of a husband and the passion of a lover.
His hand instinctively palms the familiar, smooth handle of a sword that will speak on his behalf.
David is a man in pursuit of his stolen treasures - his wife and family and nation.

I recently found myself asking, "Lord, what does it look like for a man to treasure something? What does it look like for You to treasure me?" His Word says:

Since you are precious in My sight,

Since you are honored and I love you,

I will give other men in your place

and other peoples in exchange for your life.

Isaiah 43:4, NAS

The LORD your God is in your midst,

A victorious warrior.

He will exult over you with joy.

He will be quiet in his love.

He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.

Zephaniah 3:17, NAS

In a covenant relationship with Israel, the Lord promises (through Isaiah and Zephaniah) to discipline the disobedient nation. Yet, in His discipline, he will once again choose to pursue and redeem. Judgement will come, but His love will be expressed even more strongly once wrath has passed. Like a victorious warrior, He will honor and treasure his precious covenant Love whom He has rescued from the hands of enemies.

I can't help but think that David, too, has this knowledge of God pulsing through his veins as He pursues the Amalekites who have His treasures. A husband is in covenant relationship to the Lord and to his wife, he seeks to rescue what has been lost to the enemy through his sin. His pursuit is an expression of renewed spiritual responsibility and deep love. Through prayer, he receives the permission of God to pursue and the promise of every life being returned.


© 2007 by Kendra Hinkle

Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible (R), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Mountains Rise

But mountains yes rise like kings to thrones and when they rise with able voice so clear and crisp like water cool will whisper a message a call a bidding that sails like feathers dancing and flirting on sapphire breezes for glory of Yahweh's majesty and for laud of Yahweh's gift and will betray with lovingkindness idols that cannot speak or see or hear nor smell or feel or walk without men and women who worship stones for minute and hour and four with twenty yet feel not the dread of receiving their wage.


© 2007 by Kendra Hinkle

The Anatomy of a Wave

Dedicated to the Passion movement (www.268generation.com)
"The wave is growing into a global awakening."

They lull the trusting to sleep with an ebbing, reassuring roar. They refresh the playful, inspiring splashes of energy and movement. They humble the watchful by their ability to change the face of the earth. Who has not known the powerful and graceful impact of a wave?

Had I not been enlightened with the anatomy of a wave, I would have accredited the swell its own honor. Yet, diving below the surface of the deep, I have come to realize the necessity of the wind and the individual water molecules in shaping coastlines – the boundaries of nations.

A wave looks like it is moving from one place to another, but it is not. Rather than a team of molecules moving independently over the surface of the still ocean, a wave is the result of shared movement. It begins when the wind disturbs the surface of the water, causing individual molecules to move in vertical circles. The molecule circulates in an up and down motion in its own “neighborhood.” That excited molecule then affects neighboring molecules, who dance in the same vertical pattern. Energy is passed from one molecule to the next, slowly building into a wave that represents the energy of a whole, unified movement being driven by the breath of the wind. Molecules are passing their energy along, instead of traveling along with the wave.

As a wave approaches the shoreline, the energy is not absorbed any longer in the deep. It roars with power and spills over onto the nations’ boundaries, transferring its energy and shaping what seemed immovable. By these faithful movements of waves, mountains bow their knees and become beaches. What seemed impossible to move is actually being transformed by the work of many individual water molecules in motion.

The power of a wave is in the cumulative affect of its individual particles.

Selah.

The wave is growing into a global awakening, driven by the Spirit of God and according to His trustworthy Word. And gaining momentum by the movement of many individuals who are willing to affect those around them. Even powerfully changing the boundaries of the nations and moving mountains to their knees.


Written by Kendra Hinkle, 2007. Wave information accumulated through random findings, discussions, and thoughts over the past year, and through a diagram burned into my memory from who knows where.